Buckingham Bridge Dedicated To Bucks County Soldier Killed In Vietnam

BUCKINGHAM, PA — A bridge in Buckingham now bears the name of a fallen Bucks County Vietnam War hero.

The Bucks County Commissioners gathered on a late September morning with Ed Preston, the chairman of the Pennsylvania Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, and officials from Buckingham Township, to dedicate Bucks County Bridge No. 161 in memory of Private First Class Allan George Griffin.

“At barely 23 years old, PFC Griffin was called to serve his country and like so many of his generation he bravely answered,” said Commissioner Chair Bob Harvie. “We are indebted to him for his service and sacrifice, and it is an honor to dedicate this bridge in his name.”

The county-owned bridge on Mill Creek along Upper Mountain Road is the fifth bridge dedicated to the memory of a fallen Vietnam soldier as part of a project, administered in partnership with local veterans’ advocate Ed Preston and the Pennsylvania Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, meant to honor the 136 Bucks County residents killed or missing in action during the Vietnam War.

“What we’ve heard about these men is just incredible - the acts of valor and the acts of courage and selflessness that they produced is uncanny and is a theme throughout all the research that we’ve done on these men,” said Preston.

Buckingham Police Officer Emmett Shanks, an infantryman in the U.S. Army National Guard, was given the honor of unveiling the sign during the dedication. (Photo by Jeff Werner)

U.S. Army PFC Allan G. Griffin. (Bucks County Photo)

According to Harvie, the county owns about 120 bridges, most of them made of steel and concrete like the newly-named PFC Allan G. Griffin Bridge.

“You drive over them without even thinking. And they are all numbered, which is an efficient way for the county’s general services to keep track of maintenance,” he said. “It strikes me as we are further away from the Vietnam War, casualties like PFC Griffin have in some ways turned into numbers. And how sad that is. Every day, every year that goes by lessens their memory. But now this bridge is not a number. Now PFC Griffin is not forgotten. This bridge will have his name.”

Eventually, said Harvie, QR codes will be added to each named bridge in the county directing people with Smartphones to a website that will tell them all about the fallen Bucks County soldier.

“His picture and his bio will pop up and he will become less and less of a number and we can recognize them truly for the heroes they were serving this community and serving this county,” said Harvie.

The Griffin family once lived on Upper Mountain Road just on the other side of Route 413 and about a quarter mile down the road.

“He certainly lived right here on this bridge. He was a hunter and fisher so I’m sure he spent some time here at this little creek and all around this area,” said Preston. “This really is his home and this bridge allows us to bring him home. It’s a good place for him,” he said.

Griffin was killed Feb. 22, 1967, in a friendly fire incident when he put his body over a live grenade whose pin had been accidentally pulled and saved the lives of eight other men.

“Looking at his commendation we find that was not the first time he had done that - to save his brothers,” said Preston. “In combat twice he was seen leaving his line of defense to go forward and bring his comrades back who were injured or dying in battle ... It’s amazing the amount of valor and courage someone can have at such a young age in a place he didn’t want to be. He was drafted, but went as did his father in World War II.”

The son of a World War II veteran, Griffin was born in Newtown, New Jersey, and lived in the Pennsylvania communities of Honesdale, Pottstown, Buckingham and New Hope before he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1966.

Bucks County Commissioner Diane Ellis-Marseglia read a letter written by his niece, Cindy Giovagnoli, who was watching the ceremony from Portland, Oregon.

"An unexpected loss is one that does not follow the natural order of life and that is always traumatic and always devastating. But what we often forget is that when there is a young traumatic loss like that it goes on for decades. The collateral damage remains," said Ellis-Marseglia.

"Today it is my honor to read this beautiful and honest letter written to us by Allan's niece, Cindy. She speaks to the fact that their family has been changed forevermore. I do hope this will start to ease some of the pain of the family, especially with the knowledge that Allan is going to be remembered forever on this bridge."

Griffin was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star with a “V” device for heroism. He was lauded for his courage in battle, his support for fellow soldiers and for the aid he provided to wounded comrades.

“Every time somebody passes over this bridge, they should think of Allan George Griffin and also think about the courage and the valor of the men and women who have fought and died and sacrificed for this country,” added Commissioner Gene DiGirolamo. “Let’s keep his family in our hearts and prayers. He will be remembered for a long time throughout history here. That’s good to know that.”

Griffin is buried alongside his family in Wayne County.